Maternity leave in covid times provides plenty of time to read, rest, reflect and declutter. And I love that! I’m well aware of the fact my priorities will shift immensely soon and time is precious. It always is, but the time to chase (professional) dreams will diminish. While I totally enjoy this me time, I still spend too much time online. Guilty pleasure number one: instagram. How to get rid of that and spend my time in a more meaningful way?
The topic of minimalism fascinates me. Living a purposeful life by owning, doing and collecting less. Decluttering gives me peace of mind. I use all the stuff I love and the other way around. But how to apply this to my online presence? Recently, I read the book Digital Minimalism – on living better with less technology written by Cal Newport. Out of curiosity, but also looking for an answer to my instagram addiction, to be honest. It feels like a waste of time, but I still spend to much time there to my liking.
Principles of digital minimalism
Newport states that minimalists don’t mind missing out on small things; what worries them much more is diminishing the large things they already know for sure make a good life good. He defines three principles of digital minimalism:
- Clutter is costly;
- Optimization is important;
- Intentionality is satisfying.
Spend time alone
Clutter is costly, digital clutter as well. Our connectivity often results in prioritization of communication over reflection. According to numerous research, this becomes a source of serious concern. Newport introduces the definition of solitude deprivation. This is a state in which you spend close to zero time alone with your thoughts and free from input from other minds.
When you avoid solitude, you miss out on the positive things it brings you: the ability to clarify hard problems, to regulate your emotions, to build moral courage, and to strengthen relationships. If you suffer from chronic solitude deprivation, therefore, the quality of your life degrades.
Digital declutter process
Optimization is important, but how do you optimize in this case? Newport recommends to start with a digital declutter process. To really put aside a thirty-day period during which you will take a break from optional technologies in your life. During this thirty-day break, explore and rediscover activities and behaviors that you find satisfying and meaningful. At the end of the break, reintroduce some optional technologies in your life, starting from a clean slate. For each technology you reintroduce, determine what value it serves in your life and how specifically you will use it as to maximise this value.
Reclaim leisure
So the goal here is not to erase all digital technologies from your life. In the new state, digital technology is still present, but now in a support role. It helps you to set up or maintain your leisure activities, but not acting as the primary source of leisure itself. Instead you focus on a skill you’d like to learn (maybe play the guitar), get rid of excuses to not work out, or spending more time on your favorite hobby.
Newport recommends to schedule time for both high-quality leisure activities and low-quality leisure in advance. For me this would mean to schedule time for reading, working out and writing as opposed to a little bit of time on instagram. The intentionality of performing these activities will probably lead to satisfaction.
Does it work?
I didn’t start the digital declutter process yet. Because of the covid measures I currently spend most time at home, probably like you do too. The digital technologies help me to keep connected with my closest friends. And right now, that is all the meaning I need for connectivity. In a covid-free world I would have spend quality time with them over coffee or lunch in a restaurant. And that’s not an option now.
But when the baby is born, I don’t want to spend time online. I want to focus on us. And at some point, I will return to work and will reclaim my leisure. Aristotle argued that high-quality leisure is essential to a life well lived. I’ll let you know how it works out for me..
If you’d like to read more, you can buy the book here.
Essence of Change 